Decommissioning

HC Deb 24 January 2001 vol 361 cc640-1W

11. Mr. Donaldson

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many illegal weapons have been decommissioned by each of the terrorist organisations in Northern Ireland since the Belfast agreement. [145484]

Mr. Ingram

Since the signing of the Belfast agreement, the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning has reported carrying out one decommissioning event.

Nine weapons were included in the list of items belonging to the Loyalist Volunteer Force that was decommissioned in accordance with commission procedures on 18 December 1998.

Also included was a quantity of ammunition, five detonators, two pipe bombs, two weapons stocks, and assorted magazines.

14. Mr. Peter Atkinson

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made on the decommissioning of illegally held arms and explosives in Northern Ireland. [145487]

20. Mr. Jim Murphy

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on decommissioning of arms in Northern Ireland. [145493]

21. Mr. Tynan

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the progress made concerning the decommissioning of paramilitary weapons. [145494]

Miss McIntosh

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress there has been towards arms decommissioning; and if he will make a statement. [145492]

Mr. Ingram

Mr. Ramaphosa and Mr. Ahtisaari have reported that they have completed their second inspection of several IRA arms dumps. It represents further progress and an honouring of commitments given at the beginning of May. I am confident the inspectors will report any further progress that has been made when they deem it appropriate to do so.

Further progress still needs to be made by both Republican and Loyalist paramilitaries to meet their commitments to bring a lasting peace to Northern Ireland.

15. Mr. Burgon

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what further discussions have been held with General John de Chastelain about the decommissioning of illegally held weapons in Northern Ireland. [145488]

Mr. Ingram

Under the Good Friday agreement, the Decommissioning Commission operates as an independent body to resolve the decommissioning issue. The commission has provided written reports on progress on a number of occasions.

Mr. Pound

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the prospects for removing illegally held weapons in Northern Ireland. [145473]

Mr. Ingram

Efforts are still continuing to seek a way forward to enable decommissioning to occur as soon as possible.

For their part, the Government are continuing to meet their commitments as agreed with the Irish Government to take the steps necessary for full implementation of the Belfast agreement by June 2001.